Lady Audley’s Secret: Volume 3, Chapter 10 Summary & Analysis

Two years pass. Mr. Audley has built his rustic cottage upon a river, on whose banks an eight-year-old boy now plays with a toddler. Mr. Audley has made a successful career as a barrister. Georgey Talboys is still at school but often comes to the cottage to visit George, who lives there with Clara and Mr. Audley. Alicia and Sir Michael, having survived the latter’s grief, also come visit the cottage.

A year before, Robert Audley received a letter announcing the death of Madame Taylor after a long illness. Sir Harry Towers also comes to visit the cottage, and everyone enjoys each other’s company on summer evenings.

Audley Court is empty except for a “grim old housekeeper” in place of Lady Audley. A curtain has been hung over Lady Audley’s portrait. The housekeeper shows visitors through the lady’s rooms. The visitors “ask many questions about the pretty, fair-haired woman, who died abroad.”

Sir Michael lives in London until Alicia marries Sir Harry, and then he lives on his son-in-law’s estate. George lives happily with Clara and Mr. Audley and may even find someone to ease the pain of his first marriage. Robert has given away his novels.

The narrator ends the novel by stating, “I hope no one will take objection to my story because the end of it leaves the good people all happy and at peace.” The narrator states that she may not have been very experienced in life, but she believes the righteous are not forsaken.